Serving Bowl by Megan Nicole Johns

By Ivan Wozniak

Microwave ovens are now a common feature in most kitchens. Their use both to heat and cook food means a wide range of ceramics is being used in microwave ovens. However the question remains… Is all pottery microwave safe?

Technically this question is a little more complex than it appears. There are general rules such as “do not use ceramics decorated with gold, silver or precious metal in microwave ovens”. Indeed ceramic with any metal should not be used in a microwave oven. However additional rules depend on recognizing which type of ceramic is being used. For the consumer this is not an easy task.

Ceramics are now made all over the world and it is not always easy to establish their source or quality or type. However ceramics that have been fired to a high temperature and are non porous are generally considered to be acceptable for use in microwave ovens. These ceramics include stoneware, porcelain, bone china, and vitreous cookware. Other ceramics which have not been fired to a high temperature have to be used with caution. For these type of product to be used safely there is a need to ensure that they are both dry and have not absorbed water. This can happen in many circumstances particularly during washing or in storage in the fridge. These products need extensive safety instructions to be used safely.

Top brands help the consumer by labeling their products as ‘microwave safe’. Less well known products cannot give this assurance and often do not label at all. So buyer beware and if in doubt do not use in a microwave. Look out for BS or CE standards as a sign of meeting a quality standard.

In summary, most high fired ceramics are suitable for microwave oven use. Lookout for the labeling used by branded products to give reassurance on acceptability for microwave oven use. If in doubt “keep out” is a good motto to remember!

More information and other technical articles on pottery and ceramics can be found at my website http://www.pottersfriend.co.uk.

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Paul Ames wrote in his article How Artisans Can Become Better Marketers through Social Media that artisans need to use social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook  to help them in their marketing efforts.  He emphasized the need to have good content on your website in order to get return visitors once you have reached them through the social media.

When using Twitter to attract followers and increase visitors to your website, keep in mind that there are several different kinds of tweets. I am going describe 10 of them.  You may choose to use a combination of 3 or 4 or use all 10. You should use some variety. The number one rule in social media is NOT to come out selling.  You need to create a rapport with your followers first. Then you will be rewarded with more followers who pay attention to what you have to say.

1. Where are you or what are you doing tweet.  – Be careful with this one, tack on a boring meter before you publish one of these.  Which would you rather read? Up too late last night, time for a nap. >>>>>>> Kept  watch on the wood kiln last night, time to nap while it cools  down.

2. Quotes – heard something inspirational? Share it.

3. Introduction – New supplier, new contributor, new style, new glaze…introduce it to your followers.

4. Marketing – Its okay to do a little marketing. Talk about some great new piece you have for sale, just don’t become a …

5. Spammer – Vary your tweets. Rule of thumb, sell your own products about 1/3 of the time and tweet about other things the remaining 2/3.

6. Give Aways – Know about a great insider deal? Share it. These will often become a

7. Retweet and are meant to go viral. Just look for the retweet tag on the tweet to pass good news and great content to your followers.

8.  Links – send out links to your own web site or to an interesting blog post.

9. Questions and Answer – These can be fun and are a good way to get some interaction going. They can also be quite controversial, so you might want to take stock of how you want your followers to view you before weighing in on a hot topic.

10. Customer Service – Unhappy customer.  Bad publicity travels many times faster than good. When something unforeseen happens, fix it  – then announce it to your followers. Let them know you stay on top of things.

Napkin Holder from Bauhaus Germany

By Lisa W. Miller

Art Deco pottery was created in a style that followed closely on the heels of Art Nouveau. It was created in France beginning in 1910, spread throughout the world and, then, lost influence with the onset of World War II.

Art Deco was originally called art moderne or art decoritif. This has caused a lot of confusion in the United States because, when Americanized, the term is translated “art modern.” This label became an umbrella term that covered a wide range of ‘modern’ styles related to the Machine Age. Labels like “Jazz Moderne” and “Zig-Zag” Moderne were also commonplace.

The term we use today – ART DECO – didn’t become popular until the 1960s. In its own time, the style was called by the French terms Arte Moderne or Styles Moderne.

Here is a brief discussion relating to 10 historical and stylistic influences on ART DECO POTTERY.

1. ART POTTERY: Art Pottery first developed in England as a reaction to the industrialization of the ceramics industry. The pottery was made both by individual potters and in specially created studios set up by leading manufacturers. Large, established potteries were quick to adopt some form of handcraft. Soon dozens of potteries sprang up in America. Decoration was based on natural forms and the use of popular glazes like mat green and turquoise.
2. ART NOUVEAU: Art Nouveau reached its peak in the last decade of the 19th century and continued into the early years of the 20th century. It is known for its distinctive whiplash curves and flowing lines. These were derived from nature and the human figure.
3. THE ARTS AND CRAFT MOVEMENT: The Arts and Craft Movement was a 19th century social and artistic reform movement. It greatly impacted attitudes toward handcrafted work in England, Europe, and the United States. As with Art Pottery, it developed as a reaction to the mass industrialization which occurred in the mid 18th century.
4. BALLETS RUSSES: Beginning in 1909 in Paris, the Ballet Russes gained international influence. Stage sets and costumes directly influenced French Art Deco designs in all media. The ballet was known for its use of vibrant colors. It immediately transformed color schemes and strongly affected the decorative styles of the period.
5. BAUHAUS: The Bauhaus was a school that provided instruction in design and architecture. It was only in existence from 1919-1933, but it has had a lasting influence on Art Deco Pottery. Bauhaus pottery featured unadorned, clean shapes designed for maximum functional efficiency.
6. CZECH CUBISM: Czech Cubism imbued small scale domestic objects with the monumentality usually reserved for architecture or sculpture, a quality unique among functional ceramics. The style reflected the abstraction of French Cubist paintings filtered through the Bohemian ideology of a group of Czech architects.
7. DE STIJL: Although the group of Dutch artists and architects who made up the De Stijl confederation were not known for ceramics, their style was influential. They were known for pure geometric forms and primary colors, the very attributes that helped to define the Modernist aesthetic.
8. DISNEY CARTOON CHARACTERS: The earliest incarnation of Mickey Mouse appeared in 1927. In 1920, Paragon China (a Staffordshire firm) announced that it had signed a deal with Walt Disney for exclusive rights to put cartoon characters on their china. When their rights expired in the mid 1930s, several other companies began featuring the characters.
9. FUTURISM: The Italian Futurist movement was founded in 1909. Originally a literary movement, it quickly attracted painters and evolved into an exciting approach for arts of all kinds. The Futurists hoped to infiltrate middle class homes with symbols that would transform lifestyles. They were known both for their functional approach and for pure flights of fancy. They created tiles, dishware and vases, and even planned a ceramic road.
10. THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION: The first Revolutionary porcelains were produced in Russia shortly after the October Revolution of 1917. Costly to produce, the work was somewhat out of line with Soviet values. The ceramics have an art world glamor due to the direct involvement of seminal figures in early Modern Art like Vasily Kandinsky.

From the brief discussion above, it is easy to see why Art Deco pottery is so eclectic and glamorous. Many high quality pieces have not yet found their way into private hands, so the work is highly collectible today.

Lisa W. Miller is an appraiser and collector located in New York City. She is a passionate blogger and scholar of Art Deco Pottery. Long an enthusiastic voyeur of ART DECO Architecture, her foray into ceramics is relatively new. You can follow her journey through her blog and her ezine articles.

[http://www.eartdecopottery.com]

[http://www.eartdecopottery.com/art-deco-pottery/art-deco-pottery-5-faqs-for-newbies]

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As an internet marketer, and as someone who is interested in artisanal goods (photography and handmade crafts), it amazes me that such skilled artisans cannot seem to get anything done with regard to increasing awareness or traffic to their blog or website. So many potters that I follow on twitter never post tweets! Recently I asked this question to a forum in LinkedIn: “I’ve been working hard on my blog, how can I expand the reach of my blog and increase my audience.” This seems to be a very pertinent question for Artisans, who seem to spend as little time as possible on marketing their business. Here are some relevant tips for you from Marketers, in no particular order, hope this is helpful. We assume that you have a blog or website of some kind already. If you don’t clearly that is the first step, the following becomes how to increase your awareness.

• Social Media is key for blogs or marketers (yes, artisans are marketers too! if they are trying to sell something!). Make sure you have a Twitter Presence, Facebook and LinkedIn is an also good for the advanced professional. Make sure that you are promoting your blog via social media. Tweet your new blog posts as part of your social presence. This can be new blog posts or new items if you are posting items into your blog or site, using the hashtag (#) on twitter for specific categories. This will help you find new audience and new readers for your subject matter or for your craft. In addition this will help the SEO of your pages and of your site / blog. Make sure that you include a link back to your site in your blog posts so a reader can find their way back to your site. Same thing holds true for Facebook, add new posts to your wall or status updates. There is a whole section on Facebook for business which I will not get into here.
• Make sure you are putting excellent content into your blog, good content and people will find you.
• Make sure you update your social media frequently and tweet a few times day. People want to share good content, so make sure that you have the social media sharing butting built into your blog. Visitors will share what they like in Twitter and in Facebook.
• Include a meaningful link to your blog / site in your email signature.
• Offer to share posts with other bloggers craftsman in your space and vice versa to increase both your audiences.

There are of course many other ways to increase your audience through paid services such as Adwords, but these are some simple ways to get started, and these are free.

For more tips on internet marketing for small businesses (and Artisans) go to PaulAmes.com and download some of our FREE Ebooks, they are very helpful, and feel free to contact us.

Email PaulAmes.com Phone: 1-215-493-3774 Fax:1-215-493-4496 Help us help you. Contact Us Here Have a blog you would like to exchange articles on, contact us.

PaulAmes.com is a proud member of Click Here for Google Adwords Management Service Google Adwords

Textured Lidded Candy Dish by Daniel Bennett

by Susan Morris

Texture can add a special flair to your decorative and functional pottery ware. At the same time the texture can create a challenge when keeping a piece clean and free from chips which can greatly mar the beauty. The more raised and delicate parts to the texture the more care need be taking when using and cleaning.

Keep your pottery out of direct sunlight which will fade hand painted pottery. Using a feather duster or lint free cloth, dust regularly to keep dust from building up in the nooks created by the texture so that washing is necessary less frequently.

You can wash your pottery by hand. Don’t use a dishwasher as the soaps can damage the finish and items in the dishwasher can strike your lovely pottery leaving nicks, scratches and chips. Do not soak pottery unless it has a hard, good quality finish. Unfinished feet and other parts may soak up cleaning solutions which can leach out onto carpet and other fabrics once put back into place.

It is very likely that your textured pottery is made from porous stoneware, which can be prone to mildew in hot, humid conditions. To prevent growth of mildew, keep the piece in an airy location for a few days after rinsing clean and patting dry, before putting away into a cabinet.

For china, porcelain, and other pieces with all over finishes which can safely be submerged in water. Start by placing a pad into the bottom of the sink before filling with warm water to which a small amount of gentle dishwashing detergent has been added. Gently place your pottery piece into the sink and clean only one piece at a time.

Sponging carefully with a soft sponge soaked with warm water and a gentle washing detergent followed by a quick but thorough rinsing with hot water can clean most pieces. You can use a toothbrush or dish brush if necessary to remover dirt and dried food from small niches created by the textures. Acetate or citrus based cleaner can remove sticky residue from tags, but use sparingly. Full strength white vinegar is useful for removing mineral deposits from yard sale finds or pieces well used and long stored. Use bleach sparingly. A 50/50 solution can clean the discolored area around stress cracks but it may eventually affect the integrity of the pottery ware,

It may be necessary to give added attention to highly textured pottery to ensure it dries properly. Most pieces can be patted dry with a cloth and set in an airy location as described to prevent mildew. If there are many little nooks and crannies in your textured piece you may want to use a blow dryer to force moisture out of small niches, dry it quickly, and return it to a secure place for display.

If these tips don’t solve your cleaning needs more specific problems can be addressed by antique pottery experts found through an internet search.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6767591

Slip Trailed Vase by Karen Brown Levy of K.Brown Pottery

by Susan Morris

Textured pottery is something that you may look for or have in your personal pottery collection. Those appealing textures can be created in a variety of ways. You may be interested in knowing how the variety of textures is achieved through the various steps of the creative process.
During the forming process, texture can be applied to the pot once the general shape and rim have been created. Roulette is a technique which creates texture using a gear or similar tool on the surface of the pot while the wheel is turning. Once the process of Roulette is completed the pot can be pushed out and reshaped by using a tool to apply pressure from the inside.
Chattering creates a texture on a completely formed and dryer pot. This method uses a flexible metal tool. The appearance of the final product is determined by the speed of the wheel and the pressure placed on the tool. A slow speed on the wheel increases the spacing between the lines created, the faster the speed of the wheel the closer the marks.

Chattered mug by Hsin Chuen

Stamping can be used on both wheel created pots, slabs, and other hand building techniques. Many clay artists will create their personal stamps with found objects, a variety of household items, or may carve them from clay. Different textures can be achieved through the use of rope, a fluting tool, textured rollers, and textured mats.
Appliqué creates a raised texture on the pots. Pieces can be cut individually and attached to partially dried or leather hard greenware to form a pattern. Slip can be applied to the pottery pieces when some drying has occurred creating exciting patterns in a variety of colors as well as a raised texture.

Appliqued Cookie Jar by Dana Morton

Carving is another technique and requires some skill. The piece should be leather hard for the best results. Swirls, pattern, and pictures can be created depending on the skill and the preference of the artist. Sgraffito is a specialized technique in which slip of one color is used over the pot built from another color of clay. When the piece is carved it shows the color of the clay beneath the slip to create the pattern. Carving can also be used to form a press mold. Once the original pattern is carved it can be transferred to a plaster cast or clay which is then fired creating a mold which can be used again and again.

Carved Jar by Lynn August

Texture can be created in the glazing process as well. Specialty glazed can cause crackling and bubbling. Some artists will develop their glazes to create the textured appearance that is unique to their pottery.
The textures that can be created on pottery is only limited by the imagination of the artists. It can be simple or complex but will always contribute to the appeal of the finished piece.

Steve Tool

The tool consists of a handle to which you attach the texture wheels in any configuration you desire. There are two types of texture wheels, a gear style and a spoke style. Assemble your Steve Tool and enjoy the surface effects you can achieve. See what other potters have done.  You can purchase a Steve Tool by visiting  Graber’s Pottery Inc. For a demonstration, view the video below.

Many people have found that collecting ceramic antique figurines can be a fun and even a rewarding hobby. But after you have started your collection there are some things that you should do to protect and preserve them as well kept antique figurines will gain value over time. If you store your figurines properly when they are not displayed, and clean them regularly, they will last a long time.

Storing and displaying

Spiral Goddess by Katharina Petersen

If you like to display your figurines (like most people do) you should invest in a cabinet that will allow them to be viewed and at the same time, protect them from any environment or elements that can cause them to ware.

You should make sure your figurines are displayed or stored in a cool, dry place and avoid extreme temperature changes. When storing, wrap them in bubble wrap. If you notice silvery shiny spots on your ceramic figurines, the cause may be the re-oxidation of metallic oxide paint. Excessive oxidation can be caused by storing your precious collectibles in a damp place or wrapping them in silk paper. If your figurines have already suffered from oxidation, you should take your figurine collection to a professional restorer and they will re-fire your figurine to its original appearance.

Cleaning Ceramic Antique Figurines

When you find that you need to clean your antique figurines, here are some suggestions for you to follow : If they just need to be dusted, you can blow the dust away or brush it away with a large paint brush. The benefit of using a brush is that dust and small particles can easily be removed from lines, where towels or cloths may not be able to reach.

If you feel your figurines need to be washed follow these steps:

You should clean your figurines over a soft surface in case they slip out of your hand.

Place the figurine on a flat surface, covered with a large towel or soft cloth.

Dip a soft cloth or a small brush into a solution of warm water and baby shampoo.

Wash the figurine to remove dirt and dust.

Use a soft toothbrush or cotton swab to reach little crevices.

Rinse the figurine carefully with a soft cloth dipped in warm water, be sure to cover the air hole so that water will not get inside the figurine.

If the figurine is very dirty you may need to repeat the process again.

You should Allow your figurines to air dry.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for pottery, antiques, and figurines. When shopping for pottery, antiques and figurines, we recommend these online stores for pottery, antique figurines.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victor_Epand
http://EzineArticles.com/?Caring-For-Ceramic-Antique-Figurines&id=1449328

Source: Guillaume Blanchard, July 2004, Fujifilm S6900

By Carolyn Clayton

Ancient Egyptian Pottery was produced by the ancient Egyptians from as early as 5000 BC. The sculptures produced were both highly stylized and symbolic. Most of the early pottery vessels and clay seal impressions were found in tombs. Many of the symbols or hieroglyphics found carved or painted on pieces have an emphasis on life after death and the preservation of knowledge of the past.

The Pottery of that time was pretty much used in the same way we use modern kitchen containers today. The quality was very fine and usually made by women without the use of a potter’s wheel. The Pottery would have been fired in either primitive kilns or open fires . Up until the dynastic period, pottery was hand painted with images of animals, patterns, boats and human figures.

The symbols, in the form of humans, animals or objects, were part of a formal writing system that contained a combination of logographic and alphabetic elements. There are over 700 symbols and Ancient Egypt was one of the earliest literate societies. They used the symbols to convey information the same way ownership and production marks are used on pottery and other items today.

One of the most famous symbols found on ancient Egyptian pottery and other art is still being used today. The Ankh is the symbol of eternal life and today the symbol is being used as a Christian cross. There are many images depicting the gods holding an Ankh to someone’s lips, which is consisted to be an offering of “The Breath of Life”, the breath you will need in the afterlife. The symbol looks similar to the Christian cross we see today except the top part is a rounded looking like a one legged stick person.

The Eye of Horus, originally called the Wedjat or Oudjat, is another easily recognized symbol found on many Egyptian pottery and art. Horus was represented as the falcon-headed god, was an important god in Egyptian legend. The symbol, which is human eye and eyebrow, stands for protection, health and prosperity. The ancient Egyptians believed that this symbol had a very powerful and magical effect on restoring harmony to the unstabilized world and restoring wrong doings. Some of the symbols used in ancient art often carry more than one meaning, and with many myths and stories behind each one, it is near on impossible to be completely sure of the symbols origins.

Boutique Provencale have a beautiful range of French Pottery and Dishes Pottery which will give any home that French country style look.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_Clayton
http://EzineArticles.com/?Ancient-Egyptian-Pottery—Uses-and-Symbolic-Meaning&id=6438362

© Dimitry Romanchuck | Dreamstime.com

By Victor Epand

Religion is an important part of our society, and around the world. In the homes of many Christians, Catholics, Jews, and Buddhists, there are figurines. These figurines may be different from each other in some ways, but they may all express a common theme: a belief in God. These beliefs are expressed in different ways, and different people are honored for different reasons in these figurines.

Christian Figurines

The most common figurines that may be found in a Christian home might represent the cross, the nativity scene, Jesus, and angels. Jesus is the most highly honored figure in the Christian faith, and it is common for the image of the cross to be displayed as a memory of his death and resurrection. The nativity scene includes the baby Jesus, his mother Mary, and her husband Joseph in a manger. Some more complete sets will have wise men and animals as well. It is most commonly displayed at Christmas time, when the birth of Jesus is celebrated.

Catholic Figurines

In a Catholic home, many of the same images in a Christian home may be found. Jesus is honored as well, and angels may also be displayed. Mary is honored highly, and so figurines of her, besides that of a nativity scene are common. Uniquely Catholic figurines may represent the Pope, nuns, the Saints, and the crucified Jesus on the cross. (Christian images of the cross are without Jesus.)

Jewish Figurines

In a Jewish home, there are images that are quite different. Commonly, figurines in a Jewish home will have the engraved Star of David on them. Figurines of a rabbi, a bar mitzvah boy or a bat mitzvah girl may be displayed. Any figurines of males will have a yamika shown on the head. Jews do not recognize Jesus, therefore there would be no figurines of him.

Buddhist Figurines

Figurines of the Buddha are common as well. There are varied images of the Buddha. Some of them show him as a heavier man, while others show him as a slender man. Most figurines of Buddha will show him sitting with his legs crossed and eyes closed for meditation.

Hindu Figurines

Figurines of many Hindus Gods can be found in Hindu Temples throughout India. Most prominently are Krishna, Radha, Jagganatha, Caitanya, Rama, Vishnu, Laksmi, and Shiva. Often these figurines are placed on a sanctified altar and worshipped daily.

Religious expression comes in many forms. Home decorating is simply one of the ways that people express their faith in God. For Christians Jesus is honored, for Catholics Mary is Honored, and for Jews Moses and God himself are honored. For Buddhists, the Buddha is honored.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for pottery, antiques, and figurines. When shopping for pottery, antiques and figurines, we recommend these online stores for pottery, antiques.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Different-Religious-Expressions-With-Figurines&id=1449444